For the next three days, everyone was hustling and bustling to complete last-minute wedding preparations. The menu was set, the minister from the village church has been secured, and the wedding gown was scrutinized multiple times by Christine and Josephine for imperfections. Barnabas had also taken the liberty to introduce the Louveauxs to a Catholic priest from Boston, whose parish Christine may consider joining in the future. If only things were that simple where Abigail was concerned.
Two evenings before the wedding, the Collins and Louveaux families were having a pleasant dinner at The Great House when Abigail found out about the priest coming to Collinwood on the wedding day.
"I think that the very idea of having a Catholic priest on our estate is a betrayal to our Protestant roots," huffed Abigail. "The next thing you know he'll try to force all of us to confess our sins to him and recite some prayer to the Virgin Mary and say Latin nonsense over our heads-"
"Abigail, stop being so melodramatic!" said Joshua, annoyed. "Having a Catholic priest at Collinwood will not endanger our salvation. Besides, he's not here to convert us. He's coming here for the Louveauxs. Now let's enjoy the rest of our meal, shall we?"
"I don't see why you have strong objections to the priest coming here, Abigail. Josette is still a professed Catholic, and this afternoon, we recited the rosary prayer together," said Christine.
"She may be a Papist like you, but she would never disrespect our family by having the Papacy in our drawing room," snapped Abigail.
"Most likely because you may try to burn him at the stake for his convictions," retorted Christine.
Raoul smirked at his daughter's comments while the rest of the family, including Joshua, hid their amusement.
"The priest will come to the Old House to hear our confessions, and perform Communion upon me and Papa. Afterwards, he will return to Boston before the wedding begins. See, Abigail? He's not interested in converting you and this family. He most likely already heard about you, considering that your reputation precedes you throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for being an overbearing zealot."
Enraged, Abigail shouted, "How dare you speak to me in such a manner! And in my own home!"
"Then don't give me a reason to do so in your brother's home. I never disrespected your Protestant beliefs, and I would like for you to keep your opinions about my Catholic faith to yourself," said Christine, matching glares with Abigail.
"Ladies, let's calm down. I think that this conversation should come to a close," said Jeremiah.
He stood up and raised his glass to offer a toast. "I would like to propose a toast to the happy couple, who will add more joy and happiness to our family. Barnabas, Christine, may you two have a prosperous and blissful life together. Cheers!"
"Thank you, Jeremiah. Christine and I shall both be happy together," said Barnabas, who has been cordial to Jeremiah since he returned from New York.
Everyone raised their glasses and drank, except Abigail.
Joshua sighed. "Now that that's settled, the only conversations I want to hear are those concerning the business or the wedding. Abigail, I will not hear another word from you about that priest tonight or any other night. Understand?"
Abigail, awed that her brother had sided against her, exclaimed, "Me?! Why don't you stand up for me and our family's heritage? You always took everyone's side, even when I warned you against Barnabas marrying Josette-"
"Abigail!" shouted Barnabas, who jumped from his chair, glaring mercilessly at his aunt.
Abigail froze, wishing that she held her tongue a little tightly.
Suddenly, everyone heard someone's fork drop on their plate. It was Christine, sitting frozen in her chair, shocked and in disbelief of what was uttered. Now she realized why everyone was encouraging this marriage. Josette was the woman whom Barnabas loved and lost, and still loved. Jeremiah, his own uncle, stole Josette from him, and Barnabas challenged him to a duel over her. Now, she understood everything and felt like the worse kind of fool.
Raoul, furious, stood from his seat. "I see that one can not keep silent at your own dinner table, monsieur, for the sake of their own family! My daughter and I shall take our leave. Come along, Christine."
Christine stood up gracefully, relinquished her napkin to her plate, and smiled. "Well, it's nice to know that I was really a pawn in this little game of your family's, Monsieur Collins."
Barnabas, reaching for Christine's hand, tried to rectify the situation. "Please, Christine, I can explain-"
She snatched away from him. "Don't you dare touch me, monsieur! I knew that we were brought into this marriage for different reasons, but you promised to be completely honest with me. But you lied to me. You tricked me into accepting your proposal!"
Raoul tried to calm Christine. "Now, Christine…"
"No, Papa! You will not have a word this time. You and Monsieur Joshua could renegotiate your contracts because I will never, ever, marry Barnabas Collins," she declared, irate.
She left the dining room swiftly, with Barnabas and Raoul trailing behind her.
Joshua threw down his napkin. "Now look what you've done, Abigail! You've ruined everything!"
"Perhaps, brother, that this is a blessing in disguise for us. Now Barnabas could court Millicent-"
"Silence! He will never have Millicent! You have better do all of your praying tonight, Abigail, that the girl reconsiders this marriage, or you could go to New York to live with Millicent!"
"But-"
"Not another word!"
He stormed off to his study, echoing the house with the slamming of the door. Naomi began whimpering, her hopes for peace in her home smashed.
"Well," said Jeremiah, "it seems that you're getting what you wanted after all, Abigail. I hope you're happy about what you've done! Josette, help me escort Naomi to her room."
"Of course," said Josette, matching Abigail's venomous gaze. The couple supported Naomi's weight as they helped her to her room, leaving Abigail to consider her error.
Out in the foyer, Christine was fastening her cloak when Barnabas appeared. Raoul stayed in the shadows, watching the interaction.
"Christine, please. I am sorry that you had to find out that way. Abigail had no cause to bring that up. Please let me explain myself. It was a long time ago, but it doesn't affect our future."
"Our future? We don't have a future, Barnabas! You, your father, your whole family, except for Abigail, lied to me! Even my father appears to know of it! And you still love her! You were going to use me to keep your inheritance while you still pursue Josette!"
"Christine, I promise you that I would never leave you for Josette."
"You have no choice in the matter, Barnabas. She seems to be happy with Jeremiah, but you would pursue her anyway. You pursued her for two years! And now you intended to defraud me of my chastity and my dowry just to chase after Josette? Perhaps the wisest thing my father did was to make it a point to have it returned to me upon your abandonment. Well, now, I would never have to worry about that now! Go marry Millicent! It'll make your aunt happy to do so. And from what I heard of her, Millicent would be too stupid to notice your infatuation for your aunt!"
"I don't want Millicent, Christine, I want you. It was true that I was in love with Josette, but everything has changed since I met you. You have captivated my heart, my dear."
Before he realized it, Christine struck him hard across the face. He winced in pain.
"Don't you dare stand there and treat me like a fool! I hope for your sake that you do not have to marry Millicent, and that your father will still keep you here. Good night!"
After spewing those venomous words, Christine slammed the front door behind her. Barnabas stared at the door, rubbing his cheek while silently cursing Abigail for her big mouth. He needed Christine to stay and marry him, and he only has a day to do so. But how could he convince her to stay? Suddenly, Raoul, who was watching the whole scene, came out from the shadows, chuckling.
"She has a powerful hand...like her mother," mused Raoul.
Barnabas turned to Raoul, surprised at his presence. "Your reaction to this evening's events is curious, Raoul."
Raoul threw up his hands. "Well, Barnabas, I hoped that she wouldn't find out, but I suppose that with a relative like your Aunt Abigail, she was bound to find out sooner or later. I'll bet that you wished that she would have found out after the wedding, no?"
"I would rather that she never knew about any of it, sir. However, I was surprised by the degree of her anger," said Barnabas.
"Barnabas," said Raoul, "as I said in Louisiana, the Louveauxs do not take kindly to humiliation, and Christine is no exception. Now, you have to find a way to make her stay and marry you. I can talk to her tonight, but I can't make any promises that she would be receptive."
"You will not take her back to Louisiana? Even after what Abigail has revealed?"
Raoul shrugged. "The wedding is in two days, Barnabas. It would be a shame if everything you have worked so hard for had so easily slipped through your fingers. I can...forgive and forget if you are able to get Christine to do the same. That is, if you can. I can talk to her, too, and make her understand that in spite of what happened, it might be better if she pressed forward.
"Very well. You go and speak to her, but don't rile her against me. I will speak to her tomorrow morning if possible."
Raoul nodded and left to reason with Christine. Barnabas went into the drawing room to pour himself a brandy and ponder over how he was going to keep Christine in his life.
"You knew, didn't you? You knew all along, Josephine, and you didn't tell me!"
Josephine was quietly packing Christine's clothes and belongings in two trunks the next morning. Because of the revelation from last night's dinner, all plans and preparations for the wedding were postponed for the moment. Christine, dressed in her black traveling gown, stood in front of Josephine as she waited for an answer.
"Josephine!"
Josephine stood up from the last trunk, looked at Christine, and answered, "Yes. I knew about it."
"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you prevent me from agreeing to marry him?"
"Because I heard about it from Henri Dazencourt. I thought that he was lying until I heard the servants here talk about it. But I do believe that Monsieur Barnabas has feelings for you. He does intend to do right by you. I'm sure of it."
"He was going to make a fool of me, Josephine! He and Josette together were going to make a fool out me!" cried Christine.
"Missy, Madame Josette will never make a fool out of you. From what you told me, she seemed honest enough to stay with her husband."
"For the time, of course. At least until I give birth to a child. But Josette must still feel something for him. I don't believe that she could easily get over her feelings for him while living on the same estate."
"Then she would have run off with him when he begged her two years before, missy," reasoned Josephine. "Either way, in spite of what you discovered, you can not leave now. You still have the prophecy to consider."
"I will not be controlled by a fortune teller's prophecy, Josephine! I will not marry him! He has betrayed me!"
"Only by omitting certain facts that he feared would lead you to feel as you do now. I don't blame you for feeling the way you do, but if you don't stay and marry him, then I fear that the demon will come back for you."
"It was just a nightmare!"
"Do you really believe that, missy? Considering that only you and I knew of the dream before we met Madame Zazu?"
Before Christine could answer, there was a sudden knock at the door.
"Yes?" called out Christine, turning to the door.
"It is Barnabas, Christine. May I come in?" he asked from the other side of the door. "We need to discuss what happened last night."
"We have nothing to discuss, Barnabas," replied Christine, walking to the door. "We will leave as soon as Papa had finished packing.
"Christine, there isn't a ship sailing to Louisiana until tomorrow afternoon," he said, sorry that Raoul failed to reason with his daughter.
"Then we will stay at the Collinsport Inn until the ship arrives," retorted Christine. "Now please go away."
"Please, Christine," pleaded Barnabas. "I am sorry that I didn't tell you the whole truth, concerning Josette, Jeremiah, and me. You have every right to be angry, but at the time, your father did not see any reason to mention it."
"I'm sure he didn't, Barnabas, considering that he tried to convince me of it last night. Yet, you were more than willing to tell me the details, while omitting names. I told you everything about Henri and the convent, and hid nothing from you. Would it had not been appropriate to forewarn me that your uncle's wife was your former betrothed? Didn't you think that I had a perfect right to know? Shouldn't I have known what Josette meant to you? Or still do?"
"Christine, let me in, please. Discussing this matter through the door is embarrassing."
"Have you considered, Barnabas, that I was embarrassed to discover that I was just a consolation prize to you?" she spat. "But of course you didn't! You were too busy thinking of yourself. Your whole family thought of no one but themselves when they lied about my role in this family!"
"Christine, I understand the embarrassment I caused you, but if you allow me to speak with you in person, I promise that I won't bother you for the rest of the day."
Exasperated, Christine said, "Alright, Barnabas. I'll allow you to come in."
"Thank you," he said.
Christine silently invited Barnabas into her bedroom. She had Josephine to stand outside the door while she listened to whatever explanation Barnabas manufactured as they stood face-to-face.
"Christine, I am sorry that I wasn't completely honest with you. However, you must believe that I do care deeply for you. I want to marry you. I want you to be the next mistress of Collinwood and mother to our children. Most of all, I want you."
When he reached for her hand, Christine drew back and walked over to the fireplace. She looked up at her portrait that she brought from Louisiana. Barnabas followed her.
"I don't believe you, Barnabas, and I will not be manipulated into a marriage where my husband would neglect me for his uncle's wife. My father already tried to convince me, even threatening to disown me if I didn't reconsider, but I will not be intimidated into a false marriage. I would seek out sanctuary at a church, or become a governess, if necessary, before I marry a deceiver."
"There would be no need for those options, Christine. I would not pursue Josette if you become my wife. All of my affections will belong to you and our family. Everything I have will be yours. You will not have to worry about anything or anyone."
"And what about Josette? How does she really feel about you marrying me? Does she love Jeremiah as much as she says?" she asked, searching his eyes for the truth.
"Of course she does. She stayed with him, even after the duel."
"And yet, you still pursued her."
"It was wrong, yes, but since I met you, my love for Josette became a distant memory."
Christine shook her head. "I don't believe you. Yet, there is one person who could possibly turn the tide in this situation."
She walked away from Barnabas, facing the window.
"What do you intend to do?" he asked.
"I will... tell my father that we will stay. For the night, Barnabas," she said. "I'm going to talk to Josette about her feelings for you. If she is no longer in love with you, then you'll have a bride tomorrow. If not...you may leave now, monsieur."
Before Barnabas exited her room, he said, "One more thing, Christine."
Irritated, she replied, "Yes?"
"If your inquest has favorable results, will you have a private dinner with me this evening?"
Christine looked at him, emotionless. "It's not proper, Barnabas. Papa would never allow it."
"I'm sure that he would understand, given the circumstances. And it would give us a chance to talk about whatever you wish. I'm sure that Raoul would not mind having dinner in his room this evening," he assured.
"I will consider it, Barnabas."
She turned her back on him and he exited her room. Josephine entered afterwards.
"What are you going to do?" Josephine asked.
Christine sighed and retrieved her matching hat with the black and white plumes. "I'm going to visit Madame Josette, and hear for myself on her 'feelings' for her nephew."
Christine waited in the drawing room for Josette to join her that afternoon. She sat patiently on the sofa until she heard footsteps from the foyer. Josette entered and closed the doors behind her.
"Christine," said Josette, awed, "I was surprised to hear that you were still in Collinwood. I thought that your father has taken you away from here by this time."
"Josette," said Christine, rising from the sofa, ignoring Josette's statements, "if you still have feelings for Barnabas, I wish for you to tell me now. After all, I would not want to...stand in the way of 'true love'."
"Christine, I do not have any feelings for Barnabas. At least, none that would jeopardize your marriage to him," replied Josette.
"You were in love with him once, Josette. You were going to marry him. Why did you forsake Barnabas for Jeremiah? Wasn't there a part of you that loved him, or was he just a convenient suitor until someone like Jeremiah came along?"
"That's not fair, Christine! I hardly knew Jeremiah at the time. It's not what you think," protested Josette.
"Then tell me what it was then," demanded Christine, "because if you and this family want me to marry him, then I must know the truth. You owe me that much!"
Josette sat on the sofa, and invited Christine to sit with her.
"I don't know exactly how it began, Christine, but one night, two years ago...I found myself outside of Jeremiah's room. I professed my desire for him, but he rejected me like an honorable gentleman. Soon, he returned his affections for me. We were ashamed for betraying Barnabas and embarrassing our families, but we couldn't help ourselves. On my wedding day, we eloped and spent our honeymoon at Collinsport Inn for a few days. When we returned and informed our families of our marriage, Barnabas was so furious. I never had seen him so angry, Christine. He challenged Jeremiah to a duel, in which I thank God every day that both survived, but Barnabas kept pursuing me. I told him many times that I was Jeremiah's wife now, and that he should forget me and find another bride."
"I still don't understand why I should sympathize with your plight," said Christine, icily.
Josette sighed. "It is...obvious that Barnabas didn't tell you everything that transpired in 1795. Have you heard the rumors concerning my former servant?"
"Angelique? No, I have heard nothing about her at all. What does she have to do with this?" questioned Christine.
"Angelique," began Josette, "was the cause of my marriage to Jeremiah. She was a witch, Christine. She was a vile, evil worker of black magic who maliciously and deliberately used her powers to drive me into Jeremiah's arms."
"Angelique? A witch?" gasped Christine, crossing herself. "But...why? Why would she do such a thing?"
Josette replied, "Because...she wanted Barnabas for herself. We discovered her true nature when Abigail began to suspect that Angelique was involved in the mysterious occurrence of mine and Jeremiah's marriage. She eventually caught Angelique using Sarah's doll as her devilish tool to manipulate Barnabas into marrying her. Unfortunately, she did not stop Angelique in time to save Sarah's life. Angelique was arrested, tried, and hanged for her demonic work."
"And her 'demonic work' included you and Jeremiah," stated Christine.
"Yes. Christine, I swear to you that I loved Barnabas and came to Collinsport with the intention to marry him. I never meant to hurt him, but we couldn't control ourselves, due to Angelique's magic. And even after her trial and execution, nothing could be resolved from what she did. 'What God has joined together, let no man put asunder'."
"But Barnabas still wanted you. And apparently, he was willing to sacrifice his reputation and life in Collinsport for you," noted Christine.
"If only it was that easy to leave Collinsport with him. But because of the scandal our marriage caused, Jeremiah and I have to stay together for our families' sake, even if witchcraft was a factor. Poor Barnabas. He just couldn't accept it until Joshua threatened to disinherit him."
"I know all about that," said Christine, sullenly. "I am sorry about what Angelique had done to you and Jeremiah. And especially to Sarah. It was cruel of her."
"Because of his own carelessness," she remarked bitterly.
Christine looked up."His carelessness?"
"It's best that Barnabas tell you the rest, ma cherie. But will my story make you change your mind about Barnabas? I do promise you that I have no interest in running away with him, now or ever. But...we all need you, Christine. We need you to help Barnabas forget me, and to move pass what happened then. He deserves some kind of happiness. Please stay."
Christine took in everything Josette said. She found Josette's story plausible since it would not make any sense for a lady to marry a man she hardly knew as though they were lovers. And she had to consider Barnabas and his feelings. Surely, it was devastating for him to discover his fiancée and uncle had married on a whim, without explanation. That is, until Angelique Bouchard was discovered to had influenced them.
But what about herself? Christine stood the risk of suffering the most. She knew that Barnabas, as long as Josette was here, could never truly come to love her. Perhaps he could make the effort, but deep down, Christine may be presented with her dowry in full once the honeymoon has ended.
"Josette, I...understand your plight now. However, I feel that you still love him. If you two left me and Jeremiah together, then I would find myself mistreated by the both of you. I came to like you as a friend, but if you have any doubts about your fidelity to Jeremiah, then tell me so, and I will not marry Barnabas."
Josette took Christine's hands. "Christine, I understand your suspicions, but I can assure you that I will never interfere between you and Barnabas. I still feel love for him, yes, but things are different now. And I swear to you on my life that I will never come between you and Barnabas, and that I will never leave my husband for him. Please stay."
Finally, Christine conceded to Josette's plea. "I...will stay. By tomorrow afternoon, I will become the barrier between you and Barnabas. I only hope that I would not come to regret my decision."
While Josette hugged her in gratitude, Christine hugged back in dread.
When Christine returned to the Old House, she found Barnabas waiting for her in the parlor.
"Christine, did you find out what you wanted?" he asked, walking towards her by the stair railing.
Christine removed her hat. "Barnabas, after speaking with Josette, I found that I have nothing to worry about anymore. Josette is dedicated to being Jeremiah's wife. Therefore, I will inform my father that we will stay in Collinwood, and you and I will marry tomorrow afternoon as planned."
Relieved and delighted, Barnabas took Christine's hands in his. "Oh, my dear! I'm so happy that Josette was able to convince you of my loyalty to you."
She took her hands from him and gave him a small smile. "Barnabas, I am staying because Josette has assured me that she would not come between us, not because I took on a false notion of your 'loyalty.' Perhaps, in the months and years to come, my feelings for you may change to total trust…and perhaps love. In the meantime, keep your promises and fidelity to me, and I will do the same."
"I promise that you won't regret your decision, Christine," said Barnabas.
"I hope not," said Christine.
As she walked up the steps, Barnabas called to her. "And the private dinner, my dear?"
"Oh, that," said Christine, remembering her previous promise to him. "I will inform my father that you and I wish to have a private dinner. After all, he'll understand, wouldn't he?"
She went upstairs, feeling his eyes upon her until she turned the corner to her room.
That evening, Christine, dressed in her sapphire dress and looking more ravishing than ever, quietly ate her dinner while Barnabas discussed "their" plans for the future. She smiled every now and again, but Barnabas knew that she still doubted his devotion to her. In order to ease her mind, he invited Christine to sit with him in the parlor by the fire in order to assure her of his loyalty.
"You hardly spoke this evening, Christine," he observed, gesturing for her to take the chair opposite his. "Did you not enjoy your meal?"
"I did, but you must understand that I am less than optimistic about 'our future'," she said, shifting uncomfortably in the plush chair.
"I see. I wanted to assure you that no matter what had been said since last evening, or what happened in the past, my feelings for you are genuine. I really do care for you, and I believe that our marriage will be a success."
"Thank you for your assurances, Barnabas," she replied. "But I want to talk about Angelique Bouchard."
Barnabas nearly choked on his saliva. "Angelique Bouchard? Christine, this is not the proper time to-"
"Forgive me, Barnabas, but this is the proper time to discuss Angelique. I want you to tell me about your affair with Angelique Bouchard. Josette has told me what she did two years before. She also told me that you acted out of...'carelessness', concerning Angelique. Barnabas, I am aware of men's desire for women, knowing that Josephine was a product of such lust. I want to know how you provoked her into doing such evil against you, Josette, and your family. I can guess what you have done, but I want to hear it from you. After all, you did say that we could discuss whatever I wished, remember?"
Barnabas cleared his throat. "Very well, Christine. I supposed that you are entitled to know of my...previous relationship with her, considering. You see, Christine, I was not sure of Josette's feelings for me at the time, and I, out of repressed passion and longing, sought out Angelique's companionship. I was in a faraway, exotic land, and I was moved by the atmosphere to...act out of impulse. I thought that Angelique understood that it was not a serious or a long attachment, that it was just...for the moment."
Christine narrowed her eyes. "Tell me, Barnabas. When you kissed me for the first time in my father's home, and took...liberties with me, was that just...for the moment?"
"Since we are engaged, no."
"Did you do the same thing to Josette?" she asked, curious.
Barnabas thought about it. "I haven't groped her bottom, but I have used my tongue to kiss her."
"How did she respond?"
"She quite enjoyed it. As much as you did."
A smile quirked at the edges of Christine's mouth. "And I will not deny it. But returning to the subject of Angelique, she must have been crossed to be rejected by you."
"She was. But I never imagined that she would conjure every evil possible to ruin my life. And to kill my sister in the process."
"Lust is a deadly sin, Barnabas."
"Spare me your righteous indignation, Christine!"
"I have every right to be righteously indignant! I never deceived you, Barnabas, as you had also Angelique and Josette. I believe that once I turn my back, you would pursue your former betrothed again, and where will I fit into your household?"
"As the next mistress of Collinwood, after my mother. I have learned my lesson from my encounter with Angelique, and once again, you can be assured that I will not pursue Josette."
"Once again, I am grateful for your assurances, but I think that perhaps I should leave Collinwood," she said, not meaning it.
"Do you? Even after promising Josette that you would stay? Even after...admitting that you enjoyed me taking 'liberties' with you in Louisiana?"
Christine caught her breath. "I could...learn to forget."
"Could you, Christine? I can also assure you that your memories will never leave you."
Feeling herself aroused, Christine stood up. "Good night, Barnabas. I am going to bed."
Barnabas stood up as well, but not because decorum called for it.
"Will you retire to your room before bestowing a kiss upon your future husband? Or rather, our last kiss?"
Before she could answer, Barnabas snatched her into his arms, and delivered the same passionate kiss that he granted in Louisiana. Christine tried to resist, but it was futile. His hands roamed all over her, inflaming her skin and desire for more. Then, he pulled her down with him to their knees before the fireplace. Christine found herself on her back before she knew it, being kissed on her lips, her neck, and then her bosom. She became alarmed when Barnabas pushed her skirt up. She tried to push him away, but he pinned her wrists down, continuing to kiss her. Therefore, Christine bit his bottom lip hard until he relented, giving her the chance to escape with her chastity intact. Acknowledging his error, he got off the floor and sat by the fire, scolding himself for his lack of self-control.
The next day, after the priest from Boston departed the Old House, Raoul Louveaux escorted Christine downstairs to be married. True to his extravagant nature, Raoul spared no expense in making sure that his daughter stood out as the bride to rival all brides, including Josette, as she appeared in a white gown with blue embroidery and diamonds sewn into the material, a veil adorned at the crown with lilies, her mother's sapphire ring, diamond ear bobs, and white, satin slippers that were also decked with diamonds. In addition, Christine wore a silver crucifix on a strand of pearls that was meant as a birthday present to her from Barnabas, but instead, became a peace offering for what took place the night before.
As for Barnabas, he wore a black wedding suit with a black neckcloth and a satin, blue waistcoat, which pleased Christine as much as he was pleased with his bride's appearance. There was no hesitation from either bride or groom as they exchanged vows, and Christine happily accepted the golden wedding band as he slowly slid it on her finger. She looked at the sanctified object for a moment, focusing on the Protestant minister's final words:
"...by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder."
Or woman, thought Christine.
"You may now kiss your bride, Mr. Collins."
Barnabas leaned into Christine's face and sweetly kissed his wife. Afterwards, everyone, including a curt Abigail, gave their congratulations. In the dining room, the wedding party enjoyed food and cake, gave well-wishing toasts, and champagne flowed like there was no tomorrow. There was also mentioned the anticipation of the "pitter-patter of little feet" to come in the future, which gave Christine pause.
Although Christine was not scandalously pregnant, she did wonder if children would be in her future. Her monthly courses came regularly, but she knew that Barnabas would most likely prefer Josette to carry his children rather than her. If not, then perhaps Madame Zazu's prophecy would not come to be. But then again, Barnabas would most likely desire an heir, and it would be Christine's duty to provide him one. She was glad that he was not throwing longing looks towards Josette, but she believed that once his duty was complete, Barnabas would pursue Josette again, despite claiming to have feelings for Christine. But then, Madame Zazu's prophecy of Barnabas' betrayal resounded in the back of her mind. If he and Josette betray her, could she withstand the demon's lure to damnation? She shook the thought from her mind, comforted by the fact that if that day should come, Josephine would protect her and her children. And afterwards with Barnabas? Christine decided to wait until that bridged was crossed.